Governor M. Jodi Rell announced today that the Town of Darien will receive a $210,000 grant to rehabilitate and modernize a fire training facility used by a number of communities.

The funds are being made available through the Connecticut Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP). STEAP provides financial assistance for projects that encourage economic development and preserve the character of the state’s less-populated towns.The grant will be used for a new training facility that will serve not only Darien but nearby communities.

“No matter the size of the community, public safety is the single most important responsibility of government,” Governor Rell said. “Projects like this are especially valuable because they serve more than one town, allowing the entire region to benefit. With the global economic crisis putting pressure on budgets at every level this sort of smart planning gets the most for each penny of taxpayer money.”

Governor Rell said state Representative Terrie Wood (R-141) made a strong case in favor of the state grant.

The state-funded STEAP program provides funds to eligible towns for economic development, community conservation and quality of life projects. To be eligible, a town must have a population of less than 30,000 residents, not be designated as a distressed municipality or a public investment community and not have an urban center. The state Office of Policy and Management administers this program and individual projects are managed by several state agencies including DECD.

A total of $20 million in STEAP funds for 100 towns is expected to gain approval when the state Bond Commission meets September 25. The funds will enable 114 projects across the state to move forward.

Darien Fire Department has responded to six motor vehicle incidents in the last five days, including this truck fire at 2:30 AM on May 6. Many of these incidents took place simultaneously. It has been a tiresome week for our volunteers.